Is literary translation important?

Literary translation is an often overlooked branch of translation.

Normally when one thinks of translation, the first thing that comes to mind is a freelance translator translating legal proceedings, or business correspondence. Translating literature usually takes a back seat to these other types of translations.

The reason it seems to be this way is because literary-type translation isn't as "commercial" as other types of translation. Usually those that go to school or train to become translators don't see much economic benefit to focus on translating literature.

However, it is important to realize that translating literary works is a very important branch of translation and that without it, much of the world's best literature (poems, essays, novels) would be lost to us.

According to one source I saw, only three percent of all the books published in the United States are translations. Imagine that for a second. There is so much good writing out there that is in another language other than English, and without good translators, we would never have access to that incredible store of knowledge and life experience of others.

Lately, though, more and more people are becoming interested in translation, specifically translating literature. One thing that has really helped fuel the growth in literary translators is the rise in university translation programs. Many of these in the past did not offer official degrees but this has slowly changed and now degrees in translation (with the option to specialize in a certain area) are becoming increasingly visible.

All this has an added benefit for literary translations. Hopefully, with more translators being trained in the art of of translation, more literary translations will be published, thus opening even more fully our window to the rest of the world.